“Wow. I was driving with Randy Rigby, our team president, and I saw the line outside. I don’t know who’s more excited, our players or the fans,” Snyder said. “Just to see that enthusiasm, I think it lets the guys know that they’re appreciated and the way we want to play is appreciated.”

That was evident.

Fans, many wearing the T-shirts adorned with the faces of Utah’s two recently drafted players (Exum and Hood), drank up the insight and commentary Snyder provided in multiple Q&A sessions with TV play-by-play announcer Craig Bolerjack before and during the hour-long workout and scrimmage.

“It’s interesting to me what a knowledgeable fan base we have,” Snyder said. “People here, they know basketball. It’s neat. It makes it fun for us.”

Fans also ate up the action of seeing the visible progression and maturation of the 7-foot-2 Gobert, the smooth play of Burke, the quickness, size and defensive efforts of Exum, the sweet stroke and offensive firepower of Hood, and, really, just the rare moment of NBA basketball action in the summer.

“That was crazy. I got chills just walking out there on the court,” Hood, the 23rd pick from Duke, said after his first Utah experience. “I just appreciate all the fans coming out.”

Exum, who turns 19 on Sunday, was blown away before playing his first five-on-five game since the end of 2013.

Fans stood and loudly cheered as the Australian point guard, the No. 5 pick in the recent draft, and returning All-Rookie playmaker Burke led the Jazz out on the court at the beginning of the night.

“When they started clapping for me, it kind of hit me a bit,” Exum said. “I was just expecting everyone to look at me, but not clap for me. I was happy to be in that situation.”

The highly touted rookie would’ve probably been happier with the night had he shot better (hitting at least one shot, for example), but the Jazz aren’t concerned. Exum showed a glimpse of how dangerous he and Burke might be in the backcourt on their team’s first possession when he drove through the paint and found his teammate open in the corner for a 3-pointer.

Snyder also continues to be impressed with Exum’s better-than-advertised defense, as the rookie has used his 6-6 size and speed to disrupt.

“The biggest thing that (has) stood out to me — and it was noticeable tonight — he’s really guarded,” Snyder said. “He’s really in a stance, playing passing lanes, and I like to see that.”

But his oh-fer night? (Stats weren’t kept for this 24-minute game, by the way.)

“He’ll shoot the ball better. I think he’s nervous,” Snyder said. “He got tired. Both he and Trey passing the ball, they can get in the gaps and then make plays for other people.”

Popular Comments

@Goforit Jazz don't have lottery picks, just a bunch of mid-first round
picks? Favors and Kanter were both picked 3rd, Exum 5th, Hayward and Burke 9th,
and Burks 12. What is your definition of lottery picks? Because according to the
NBA
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8:50 a.m. July 11, 2014

Top comment

gdog3finally

West Jordan, Utah

Quin Snyder talks with a man? Try Boller. Exum is chased down? Look at the photo
again. Fights for control of the ball? The ball is being passed. Blocked shot?
Not even close. Who writes this stuff for the photos on the Desnews?
Shouldn't the
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12:16 a.m. July 11, 2014

Top comment

iluvnz

Vernal, UT

I'm looking forward to a good season. Some new blood has been infused into
the organization. I look forward to seeing how things go under Snyder. I look
forward to seeing how another year wiser can improve the mindset and physicality
of our
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Jody is a sports writer who covers the Utah Jazz for the Deseret News (yeah, rough life). He also writes about his fitness/health journey and triathlon exploits in his "Losing It!" column. He has been with the paper since more ..